Lying in the Bao Lam commune, Lam Dong, Linh Quy Phap An Pagoda (so-called Phap An Son) has been favorably named the “God’s gate” because of its breathtaking beauty at Dawn.
Phap An Son is located on a high mountain of Loc Thanh Commune, Bao Lam District. Although it is about 20 kilometers from the center of Bao Loc city, many visitors, especially young groups go there to greet the dawn in the early morning every day.
At the weekend, especially, the number of visitors to the Pagoda increases quickly. Even, many of them ask for sleeping overnight to see the sunrise the next day.
Thanh Hai (Ho Chi Minh City) cheerfully said: "I spend my whole weekend visiting the pagoda with friends and asking the monks to stay here overnight to recite and meditate, then, welcome the dawn next morning. The charming and peaceful scene of Phan An Son seems to has magics that keep you away from worries and tiredness.
It will be a big regret if you don’t watch the sunrise from the ideal position, Quan Chieu Duong when visiting this “appalling” pagoda. This so-called "Heaven Gate" will offer you a panoramic view of Bao Lam and Bao Loc.
In the early morning, you must be deeply in love with the cloudy and majestic hills and mountains. Therefore, don’t miss the best time to greet the dawn from 5:30 to 6:30 every day.
According to some travelers, this dry season (from February to June) is the most ideal time to watch the “alluring” sunrise. Therefore, if you a hunger for travel, you should make full use of this period to take memorable pictures with friends and relatives.
To reach Phap An Son, “far-away” travelers could take a short break in Bao Loc city (on National road 20 connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Da Lat), then drive along Highway 55 (from Dai Binh intersection) to Loc Thanh commune and ask the local the way to for hamlet 4, Loc Thanh commune.
You can park your motorbike at a local’s house at the foot of the mountain, or even you drive your motorbike to the parking area of the pagoda and walk up to the mountain (about 1km) to receive the dawn.
If you want to stay overnight, you could get there in the evening, ask the monks for eating, chanting and meditating with them. There are blankets available for pilgrims who wish to sleep in the pagoda at night.
However, you should follow the rules of the pagoda when visiting to avoid disturbing the monks.
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